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Australia’s Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) industry came together last week across the country to celebrate the eleventh year of the ITS Australia National Awards. The Awards, this year broadcast online, recognise the outstanding projects and people that have advanced Australian transport technology throughout the year.
Recognising professional ITS expertise and excellence, the awards raise awareness across all levels of government and community about the benefits of ITS technology to Australian people, cities and communities, the economy, environment, and transportation.
“Each year, I am increasingly impressed by the breadth of work and accomplishments of ITS Australia’s Award winners. That this year’s award-winning work was completed in spite of the tremendous challenges that 2020 has posed is even more impressive,” said Dean Zabrieszach, ITS Australia President.
“Our 2020 nominees and winners demonstrate the excellence and innovation that makes our industry a world leader. I congratulate them all.”
This year’s recipient of the Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award is Dr Peter Sweatman. Throughout his 30-year career, Dr Sweatman has driven global innovation in transportation research and the application of R&D. In the United States he was a cofounding principal of CAVita LLC, a trusted connected and automated vehicle ecosystem partner for government, industry and academia. Dr Sweatman is also the former director of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) (2004 - 2015), and the founder and former director of the Michigan Mobility Transformation Center (MTC) (2013 - 2016). Now returned to his native Australia, Dr Sweatman has joined the University of Melbourne as International Enterprise Professor with the AIMES testbed.
Peter Sweatman, winner of the Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award
Abdulmalik Alyousfi, co-winner of the Young Professional Award
Azadeh Emami, co-winner of the Young Professional Award
The 2020 Young Professional Award resulted in a tie between Abdulmalik Alyousfi of Transurban and Azadeh Emami of The University of Melbourne.
“It was truly thrilling to be nominated for this award given the quality of the young professionals shortlisted. You realise what amazing potential the ITS field has to make a positive difference in the world when you see the calibre of your peers”, said Mr Alyousfi.
As part of the Award, ITS Australia will sponsor both winners to attend the 17th ITS Asia Pacific Forum, which will be held in Brisbane next April. The event will bring an expected cohort of 1,500 industry professionals from across the Asia Pacific region to Queensland and Mr Alyousfi and Ms Emami will join their peers to participate in a robust program of conference sessions, technical tours, and demonstrations.
This year, the Excellence in Research & Development Award, sponsored by iMOVE Australia, was won by Data61 CSIRO for their Transit Assignment Engine: The Agent-based Simulation Engine Enriched with Disease Spread Model.
Senior Research Scientist, Hanna Grzybowska said, “CSIRO’s Data61 is committed to understanding Australia’s current and future challenges, and by working with Transport for NSW, we are seeking to create new technology-driven solutions that will empower the nation and its industries. The Traffic Assignment Engine with a Disease Spread Model is amongst the first in the world that combines a detailed transport simulation with a cutting edge epidemiological modelling. This capability is particularly pertinent to tackle the challenge of safe transit during a pandemic.”
(L to R) Brain Negus, ITS Australia Ambassador and Chairman, CICA Group; Peter Sweatman, Max Lay Award Winner; and Dean Zabrieszach, ITS Australia President
The 2020 Awards broadcast was watched around the country in several viewing parties, like this one in Brisbane.
The Excellence in Transport Data Award winner is Transport for NSW for the When to Travel Physical Capacity Indicator.
“The When to Travel – Physical Capacity Indicator is evidence of the quick, agile and customer-focused work we do to help customers use public transport safely,” said Sherrie Killiby, Director, Digital Customer Information Services, Transport for NSW.
“The new digital information, that tells customers if their public transport services has capacity to travel safely, has already been used over 50 million times since it’s launch. The award congratulates the hard-working team who made it happen in record time.”
The Connected & Automated Vehicle Award was won by Cohda Wireless for its C-ITS (V2X) Technology in Production Vehicles.
“As an Australian company supplying solutions to a global market, we are very proud to have been recognised by ITS Australia for advancing the application of V2X technology to make the streets and highways of the world safer and less damaging to the environment,” said Dr Paul Gray, CEO, Cohda Wireless.
“The implementation of a cooperative intelligent transport system will require the continued cooperation of governments, road and transport authorities, OEMS and other organisations. The adoption of our V2X solution by Volkswagen is the start of the adoption of C-ITS by OEMs and proof that Cohda is leading the world in this market.”
The Intelligent Mobility Award winner is Directed Technologies of the Ambulance Victoria Next Generation ITS Solution.
"Directed is very honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award from ITS Australia. ITS Australia serves a vital role for transport in Australia and as the lead global conduit for industry, policy and academic endeavour promoting life, time and environment saving solutions. These awards play a key role in advancing this important triple bottom line,” said Brent Stafford, Executive Director, Directed Electronics.
“As an Australian owned company competing against global majors, we are very proud that we could deliver this state of the art next generation ITS solution for Ambulance Victoria and thank their dedicated team and leadership for entrusting us with this mission critical service.”
This year the Smart Transport Infrastructure Award resulted in a three-way tie between Data61 CSIRO for A Structural Health Monitoring System for the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge; SAGE Automation for SAGE Edge - Delivering Valuable Insight and Smart Asset Management; and SICE for M8 Tunnel Remote Access Testing Solution.
“CSIRO’s Data61 is committed to understanding Australia’s current and future challenges. We are seeking to create new technology-driven solutions that will empower the nation and its industries,” said Dr Khoa Nguyen, Senior Research Scientist, Data 61 CSIRO.
“In collaboration with Transurban, Data61 and its research and engineering partners (the University of New South Wales, Cisco, Innovation Central Sydney and Rockfield Technologies Australia) have designed and developed an advanced sensing and data platform to monitor the iconic old Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge (the Gateway Bridge) in Brisbane in real time. The platform uses machine learning techniques to detect damage before it can affect the public.”
“The ITS Australia Awards not only gives Australian businesses the very best opportunity to showcase Australian innovation and technology, but it also allows us to demonstrate how we can use technology to resolve community needs like supporting activities such as mobility solutions for disability and age care,” said Damian Hewitt, General Manager Transport, SAGE Automation.
“We are pleased to win this award as it allows SAGE to be recognised for the investments we have made in developing technology locally that really makes a difference to the users through ITS.”
“SICE is honoured to receive this award from ITS Australia as recognition of SICE’s team effort in managing to overcome the challenges and tough situations presented by this pandemic, sparking the creation of new ways of carrying out projects,” said Alejandro Guerra, Project Manager - WestConnex M8, SICE.
“We are firm believers that our remote testing solutions will permanently change the way ITS project’s conduct testing and commissioning activities in the future.”
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